HOT WATER INSTALLATION ACCESSORY
Hot Water System Valve Kit
A new hot water system should be installed with the correct valves and connection components for the appliance and property. The Hot Water System Valve Kit brings together the common installation components used to control pressure, isolate the system, manage water flow and complete a neat hot water installation.
The exact valves required depend on the type of water heater, the manufacturer's installation requirements, incoming water pressure and the existing plumbing arrangement.
Choose the valve kit as a supply-only accessory, or add installation where available and have the required components fitted as part of your hot water system installation.
Quick answer:
a valve kit is designed to provide the pressure-control, isolation, non-return and connection components commonly required when installing or replacing a hot water system. The exact configuration varies by appliance, so components such as a gas isolation valve, expansion control valve or replacement TPR valve are included only where applicable to the installation.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why Install New Valves With a New Hot Water System?
A hot water cylinder or continuous-flow water heater is only one part of the complete installation. The surrounding valves and pipework help control water pressure, provide safe isolation for servicing, manage expansion and connect the new appliance to the property's existing plumbing.
Reusing old valves may not always be appropriate. Existing components can be worn, incorrectly rated, missing, unsuitable for the new appliance or no longer compliant with the installation requirements.
Pressure Control
Correctly selected pressure-control valves help keep incoming water pressure within the requirements of the new hot water system.
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Isolation & Servicing
Isolation valves allow the appliance to be shut off when maintenance, servicing or replacement work is required.
Correct Connections
New connection components help complete the installation neatly and suit the pipework arrangement of the new water heater.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
What Can Be Included in the Hot Water Valve Kit?
Pressure Limiting Valve
A Pressure Limiting Valve (PLV) reduces incoming mains pressure where required so the water heater and associated valves operate within their specified pressure limits.
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Non-Return Isolation Valve
A Non-Return Isolation Valve provides a way to isolate the cold-water supply to the heater while also helping prevent reverse flow through the inlet arrangement.
Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve
A TPR or PTR valve is a critical safety component on applicable storage water heaters. A replacement may be included where the new heater does not already include the required valve.
Cold Water Expansion Valve
A Cold Water Expansion Valve may be required depending on the water heater, local installation requirements and valve arrangement. It provides a controlled point for pressure created by thermal expansion to discharge.
Gas Isolation Valve
A Gas Isolation Valve is included where required for a gas water heater installation, allowing the appliance gas supply to be isolated for servicing or replacement.
Connection Set
Suitable connection fittings are used to connect the new water heater to the property's existing hot and cold water pipework.
Pipe Insulation
Insulation can be fitted to applicable hot water pipework to reduce unnecessary heat loss and complete the installation neatly.
Installation-Specific Components
The final valve arrangement is selected to suit the appliance type, manufacturer requirements, water pressure and existing plumbing configuration.
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Not every listed component is required for every water heater. The final valve kit should match the actual appliance and installation requirements.
PRESSURE PROTECTION
What Does a Pressure Limiting Valve Do?
A Pressure Limiting Valve is installed where the incoming mains water pressure needs to be reduced to a level suitable for the hot water system and its safety valves.
The correct pressure rating depends on the water heater manufacturer and the overall valve arrangement. Different appliances can have different maximum inlet-pressure requirements, so the PLV should be selected to suit the actual system rather than chosen as a generic one-size-fits-all component.
High mains pressure should be checked before installation.
A new hot water system should not simply be connected to an unsuitable high-pressure supply. The licensed installer should confirm the required pressure-control arrangement for the selected appliance.
SYSTEM ISOLATION
Why Is an Isolation Valve Important?
An isolation valve allows the water supply to the hot water system to be shut off without necessarily shutting down the property's entire water supply.
This makes future maintenance, valve replacement and servicing more practical. Where a non-return function is incorporated, the valve arrangement also helps control reverse flow through the cold-water inlet.
SAFETY VALVES
What Does the TPR or PTR Valve Do?
Storage hot water systems use a Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve, commonly referred to as a TPR or PTR valve, as an important safety component.
The valve is designed to discharge water if the cylinder reaches its specified temperature or pressure relief conditions.
Many new storage water heaters are supplied with the correct manufacturer-rated relief valve. Where it is already supplied with the appliance, a second valve should not be assumed to be required as part of the accessory kit.
THERMAL EXPANSION
What Does a Cold Water Expansion Valve Do?
Water expands when heated. In installations where an expansion control valve is required, the valve provides a controlled point on the cold-water side for expansion pressure to discharge.
Whether an expansion control valve is required depends on the water heater, local plumbing requirements and the complete valve arrangement.
GAS WATER HEATERS
When Is a Gas Isolation Valve Required?
A gas isolation valve is relevant to gas hot water system installations. It allows the gas supply to the appliance to be isolated for servicing, commissioning or replacement.
It is not required as part of the valve kit for an all-electric or heat pump water heater unless there is a separate site-specific reason for gas work elsewhere in the installation.
INSTALLATION OFFER
Add Installation & Get Up to 2m of Pipework Installed
Add installation to the hot water valve kit and the installation package includes up to 2 metres of applicable connection pipework as part of the standard valve-kit installation.
This allows the new valves and connections to be installed neatly around the replacement hot water system instead of relying on an unsuitable or deteriorated existing arrangement.
Additional pipework, relocation work, non-standard fittings, difficult access or major plumbing alterations may require additional work.
SUPPLY ONLY OR INSTALLED
Choose How You Want to Order Your Valve Kit
Supply Only
Choose the valve kit as a product-only purchase if your licensed installer will select and fit the appropriate components during the hot water installation.
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Valve Kit + Installation
Add installation where available and have the required valves, fittings, insulation and up to 2m of applicable connection pipework installed as part of the valve-kit installation package.
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WHAT TO CHECK
Which Valve Kit Does My Hot Water System Need?
The correct configuration depends on the hot water system being installed and the property it is being connected to.
- Heat pump, electric, gas or solar water heater
- Manufacturer maximum inlet pressure
- Existing mains water pressure
- Whether an ECV is required
- Whether the new heater includes its own TPR or PTR valve
- Existing valve condition
- Existing pipe sizes and connection positions
- Gas isolation requirements where applicable
- Drainage for relief valves
- Pipe insulation requirements
- Whether the system is staying in the same location
- Additional pipework required
STANDARD INSTALLATION
What May Be Additional to a Standard Valve Kit Installation?
A standard valve-kit installation is intended to cover the normal valves, fittings and connection work associated with a straightforward hot water replacement.
Extra Pipework
Pipework beyond the included amount may be additional, particularly where the new water heater has different connection positions or is being relocated.
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Non-Standard Fittings
Unusual pipe sizes, damaged existing plumbing, specialty fittings or extensive alterations may require additional components and labour.
Relocation & Major Alterations
Relocating the hot water system, excavation, wall penetrations or major plumbing changes are outside a basic valve-kit installation and may need to be quoted separately.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions About Hot Water System Valve Kits
Do I Need a New Valve Kit With a New Hot Water System?
Not every installation requires every valve to be replaced, but a new hot water installation should be checked for correct pressure control, isolation, non-return protection, relief valves and compliant connections. Reusing unsuitable or deteriorated valves should be avoided.
Does Every Valve Kit Include the Same Components?
No. The exact valve arrangement depends on the type of water heater, manufacturer requirements, incoming water pressure and existing plumbing.
Is a Pressure Limiting Valve Always Required?
It is required where the incoming water pressure exceeds the permitted pressure for the selected hot water system or valve arrangement.
Is a TPR Valve Included?
A replacement TPR or PTR valve may be supplied where required. Many new storage water heaters already include the correctly rated relief valve from the manufacturer.
Do I Need a Cold Water Expansion Valve?
It depends on the installation. Expansion control requirements vary according to the heater, valve configuration and applicable plumbing requirements.
Does the Valve Kit Include a Gas Isolation Valve?
A gas isolation valve is relevant where the hot water system uses gas. It is not normally required for an electric or heat pump water heater.
What Does the Non-Return Isolation Valve Do?
It allows the cold-water supply to the hot water system to be isolated and helps prevent reverse flow through the inlet arrangement.
Does the Kit Include Pipe Insulation?
Applicable pipe insulation can be included as part of the valve-kit installation to complete exposed hot water connections neatly and reduce unnecessary heat loss.
How Much Pipework Is Included With Installation?
When installation is added to the valve kit, the standard package includes up to 2 metres of applicable connection pipework.
Is Extra Pipework Included?
Pipework beyond the included amount may be additional and can depend on the hot water system location, connection positions and existing plumbing.
Can I Buy the Valve Kit Supply Only?
Yes. Supply-only is suitable where your licensed installer will fit the appropriate components during the hot water installation.
Can the Existing Valves Be Reused?
Potentially, but only where they are in suitable condition, correctly rated and appropriate for the new appliance. The installer should assess the existing valve arrangement rather than assuming it can be reused.
Does a Heat Pump Need a Different Valve Kit?
The required water-side components depend on the specific heat pump manufacturer's pressure and installation requirements. The general functions are similar, but ratings and valve arrangements can differ between models.
Who Should Install the Valve Kit?
Hot water valves and associated plumbing should be installed by an appropriately licensed plumber as part of the compliant hot water installation.
WHY INSTALLED TODAY
Why Add a Valve Kit Through Installed Today?
Matched to the Installation
The required valve arrangement can be selected around the hot water system, water pressure and existing plumbing rather than treating every installation as identical.
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Supply or Installation
Order the valve kit on its own or add installation where available as part of the hot water replacement.
Up to 2m Pipework With Installation
The installed valve-kit option includes up to 2m of applicable connection pipework for a standard installation.
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FINAL CHECK
Set Your New Hot Water System Up Properly From Day One
A new hot water system should be connected using valves and fittings that are correctly rated for the appliance and suitable for the property's water pressure and plumbing arrangement.
A complete valve kit can include the pressure limiting valve, non-return isolation valve, expansion control valve where required, TPR or PTR valve where not already supplied, gas isolation valve for applicable gas systems, connection fittings and pipe insulation.
Choose supply only if your licensed installer is already arranged, or add the valve-kit installation option to have the applicable components fitted together with up to 2 metres of standard connection pipework.
